COUNTRYLIVING.COM / NOVEMBER 2019 ƄƂ
...as a linen closet
...as a vanity
...as a makeshift
medicine “cabinet”- Warm Up
the Bathroom.
With all that chrome and tile,
bathrooms can veer “cold”
quickly. But add an unexpected
antique, and the room will
feel awash with warmth.- KNOW YOUR WOODS.
Furniture-making is rooted in these six hardwoods. Here’s
why they’ve logged such impressive reputations.- WHAT ABOUT BURL WOOD?
Spoiler alert: Burl wood isn’t a type of tree! It’s actually—
get ready for this—a rare, tumor-like growth on a tree
that results in a stunning swirled grain. (The look has been
likened to tortoiseshell.) True to design’s quirky bend,
its rarity—especially that of walnut, elm, and yew—has
made it a prized furniture veneer.
Maple
Its fi ne grain and
straw-blond hue make
this a very versatile wood.
The Bird’s Eye variety is
prized for its pale yellow
color and pattern of tiny,
darker brown circles.Hickory
Known for its strength,
durability, and fl exibility,
this dense blond to
light brown species is
commonly used in
crafting rustic furnishings
and Windsor chairs.Oak
The majority of
European furniture made
prior to the 1700 s is
of this pale wood that
has an open—or large—
grain. (Quarter-sawn oak
boasts a straight grain.)Cherry
Commonly used in
furniture such as hutches,
armoires, tables, and
buff ets, cherry darkens to
a deep reddish brown
with age.Mahogany
This hardwood was
limited to very expensive
pieces of furniture until
the 19 th century, when
new species were
discovered in Central and
South America.Walnut
Fine-grained European
walnut is grayish brown,
while American black
walnut has a slight purple
tinge. Its lustrous fi nish
makes it well-suited for
carvings.- Spot a Dovetail Joint.
Employed in furniture-making for centuries, dovetailing
(flaring, wedge-like projections that interlock to hold
together the sides of drawers and internal components
of case goods) is a sign of quality craftsmanship.
(Psst: The size of the keys—another name for those flared
components—can help date a piece, as machinery
introduced in the 19th century allowed for much smaller
LIN and more precise cuts.)
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